Magnus Carlsen insisted on an illness clause in his contract to play in the upcoming world championship Chess match. The clause allows him a two-day break if he gets sick. It appears Carlsen is concerned about the food in India. For his recent advance visit to the match site in Chennai, Carlsen brought his personal chef.

Egyptian Chess Grandmaster Ahmed Adly was unable to secure authorization to leave the country to participate in the 2013 World Cup due to his impending obligation for military service.

Not to be outdone in terms of game violence, Baltimore saw seven people shot (one killed) at a dice game.

Burglars moved in from an adjacent church property to steal an entire set of heavy, 2 foot tall, ceramic Chess pieces, plus a wood bench and a resin dragon, from the garden of Mrs. Alexander in Ealing Common.